Austro-Hungarian Red Book: Count Berchtold to the Imperial and Royal Ambassadors to Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy, 28 July 1914

On 28 July 1914, Leopold Count Berchtold (pictured), the Austro-Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs, sent a coded private telegram to his Ambassadors to Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. In his telegram, Berchtold relates information on the possibility of British intervention in a continental war. It is important to note that the telegram from Count Szecsen which Count Berchtold is referring to is not in the Red Book.

Leopold Count Berchtold

Count Berchtold to the Imperial and Royal Ambassadors to Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy. Vienna, 28 July 1914.

Address:

Count Szogyeny in Berlin.

Count Mensdorff in London.

Herr von Merey in Rome.

Cyphered telegram.

1.— 3.

Private.

[The Austro-Hungarian Ambassador to France] Count Szecsen telegraphed on 28 July as follows:

”Monsieur Bertie tells me that the active interference of Russia would be followed by Germany and France taking part in the war. England would be an idle spectator and only interfere if France was threatened by utter ruin.”

The above is for your Excellency’s information and for communication to the Minister of Foreign Affairs or his representative.